Chapter 2: Emotions

Po made his way through the village slowly and carefully, glancing at each house to make the walk seem less boring. Once he reached the bottom of the Thousand Steps, he sighed. Now the walk was a boring climb just to take breakfast up, when he could have cooked. But he wasn't about to question his master. It was even worse because NOW he would have to climb up a thousand steps, PLUS he was starving and just wanted to eat. But the sooner he started, the sooner he could eat. He quickly started to jog up the steps, still making sure not to spill or drop anything.

IN THE TRAINING HALL

Tigress was training harder and faster than usual. She almost knew what Viper was about to say if she hadn't cut her off. "Tigress, I know that you were hard core before Po came here, and even when he first got here, but you're not any more. You've changed and you're a lot softer and emotional than ever before. I-I think that you might be in love." If Tigress hadn't cut her off before, then she would of then. She hated to admit it, but she almost Viper would have been right, because Tigress had this strange feeling inside her, that she had never had before. Was she in love? She had no idea, but whether it was or wasn't, she wouldn't dare say.

Tigress couldn't take this stress ANY more. She hopped off her training equipment and stomped towards the doors. She slammed the doors open and took a deep breath of fresh air. She stood there thinking about how she could be in love. It made no sense. Who would she be in love with? It then hit her. Po would be arriving soon. "Might as well meet him at the top of the Thousand Steps." She then walked over to the Thousand Steps slowly while still thinking.

When she finally arrived at the Thousand Steps, she sat on the top step, lost in her thoughts. She snapped back into reality when she heard heavy panting in the distance. She glanced down the steps and saw a black and white figure appear in the distance. She knew it was her crush, Po. Tigress jumped up and ran down the steps and finally approached Po.

Po was worn out and aching all over. Why did he jog up here? If had just gone at a brisk walk, then he wouldn't be so tired, now would he? When he looked up he saw Tigress running towards him. He was so weak, that he almost clasped on the ground but was caught by two hands supporting him. He looked to his right, and there was Tigress, staring at him.

"Need any help?" she asked with concern in her eyes.

"No, I'm fi-"Po trembled and almost fell over.

"No, you're not. Now, hand me the soup and dumplings."

"I'll be fine. Besides, you need to support me."

"You're right."

They both made their way up the Thousand Steps, slowly yet carefully, making sure not to spill anything and making sure that Po doesn't fall over.

When they reached the top of the steps, Po had to lean on Tigress's shoulder just to keep standing. When they reached the kitchen, Po threw all of the bowls on to the table and crashed into a chair.

"Will you go tell the others that breakfast is here?"

"Of course," Tigress then leaned in and hugged Po like she did at Gongmen Jail. Po was surprised at first, but then hugged her back. Tigress broke the hug after a few seconds and went to tell the others that breakfast was here.

AT BREAKFAST

Tigress wouldn't and couldn't eat that much. She didn't know how to confess to him that she loved him. But what she did know, was that she had to tell someone, but who? Shifu? Tigress almost slapped herself at the thought. Shifu was a great father and all, but he would surely over react. She only had one other option. To tell Viper.

After breakfast was over, and the Five were on their way to the Training Hall, when Tigress finally got the courage to say something.

"Viper?"

"Yea?"

"Can I talk to you privately?"

Viper just smiled at what she was hearing. "Sure, but after lunch. Right now we have to train."

Tigress sighed. She was really counting on telling Viper about her feelings.

IN TRAINING HALL AN HOUR LATER

This was too much pressure for Tigress. It was only 9:30am and it would be AT LEAST 1:00pm before she could talk to Viper. "Are you flipping kidding me? You're in love? I thought you were hard core!" Tigress thought. "Maybe I'll regain it by punching ironwood trees." And with that Tigress jumped off her training equipment and stormed out of the Training Hall and made her way to the Thousand Steps. When she got there, she sighed knowing that if she went down, she would have to come back up a thousand steps. But Tigress was determined to get her hard core strength back. She started to brisk walk down the steps.

WITH PO

Since Shifo gave Po the day off because he had already done his training for the day so Po decided to just get some rest like Tigress had told him to do. All he was doing was thinking about nothing. Or was it? He had never felt this before. Was it love? He had no Idea-but he did know that when him and Tigress hugged, he felt something strange. It was like he never wanted to stop hugging her for as long as possible. After awhile he finally figured out that he was in love-with Tigress. He might be able to tell her how he felt at the festival tomorrow. (The festival was going on for the Dragon Warrior and the Furious Five for the defeat of Lord Shen. Master Shifu had also given them the night off for the festival.) Po didn't know how he would tell her because he felt like he would ever have the courage. What if it ruined their friendship? What if she hated him afterwards? Po just sighed and drifted off to sleep.

To Be Continued …